Bedwas win crowns historic occasion

Bedwas marched to the top of the Principality Premiership by brushing aside Cardiff with a 29-20 victory.

Bedwas entertained Cardiff showing only two changes from the side that drew with Llandovery two weeks earlier - Kristian Gay coming in at tight head prop and Tom Rowlands starting at scrum half. Simon Grainger retained the captain's armband.

Cardiff were ahead after only four minutes. Good ball from an early line out was spread wide for full back Joe Griffin to cross. The same player added the conversion from a narrow angle.

From the restart Cardiff knocked on, Bedwas retained possession but good defence kept the home side at bay before the home side transgressed and Cardiff cleared to touch. The visitors won the line out but lost possession and Stuart Thomas cleared to touch. Cardiff counter attacked and slick hands put back rower Reuben Tucker in for a try, Griffin again converting. At this stage Cardiff were playing with confidence and fluidity.

Bedwas finally got on the scoreboard courtesy of a long range Powell penalty after Cardiff were adjudged offside on the half way line. This seemed to lift the home side and Bedwas attacked the visitor's line. Bedwas earnt a scrum deep in the Cardiff half and forced the visitors to concede a penalty for collapsing the scrum. Rather than kick for goal Bedwas opted to reset the scrum and this time destroyed the Cardiff scrum and earned a penalty try. Powell added the conversion.

Then came a moment of madness. Powell tackled a Cardiff player late, at worst a yellow card offence. However Powell reacted to something said by an opposing player and was shown a straight red card for violent conduct. Will Thomas stroked over the ensuing penalty goal, but missed a second penalty after Bedwas were penalised for side entry at a ruck.

Replacement Ethan Davies notched a penalty for Bedwas shortly before the break to leave the home side four points adrift for a second half with only 14 men.

It didn't take long for Bedwas to reduce the arrears as Davies added a further penalty after Cardiff were penalised at a ruck. Both sides looked to add to their scores but defences held strong, Bedwas especially to the fore as the home side dug deep.

Bedwas scrum half Tom Rowlands was tackled unfairly 40 metres out and Ethan Davies stepped up to slot the penalty to put ahead for his side in front for the first time in the game; a lead they were not to relinquish.

After a brief delay due to a lack of playing balls Bedwas were on the back foot as Cardiff earned a penalty chance but Thomas was off target before Davies slotted a Bedwas penalty from in front of the posts after Cardiff were penalised at a scrum. Cardiff were not going to lie down and attacked in numbers earning a penalty in front of the posts, this time converted by Thomas.

Bedwas were not finished and five minutes from time delivered the knock out punch. Replacement Matthew Pewtner crossed for a good try after Bedwas attacked a Cardiff line out, Davies added the conversion.

Cardiff desperately sought a losing bonus point and earned a penalty chance but Thomas was wide with his attempt and Bedwas held on for a heroic win.

With neighbours Cross Keys ending the unbeaten run of top of the table Llandovery Bedwas are now top of the Premiership for the first time in their history.

Next Friday (23 November) Bedwas visit Carmarthen Park for a league game against Carmarthen Quins, kick off 7-30pm.

In this week's podcast with WRU TV's Graeme Gillespie, Llandovery skipper Richard Brooks reveals the signing of the Principality Premiership season while Ebbw Vale's Ronny Keynes says his side aren't panicing, despite being at the wrong end of the East division points table.

Volulnteers in junior and youth rugby around Wales, such as those in the Blues region featured here, are working more closely than ever on a joined up approach to attracting and keeping players in the game.

Llandovery are currently sitting top of the west division with three wins from three games in the Principality Premiership. WRU TV's Graeme Gillespie talks to Drovers head coach Euros Evans as he prepares his side to face a resurgent Neath.

This week is round three of the Principality Premiership. WRU TV's Graeme Gillespie talks to Bedwas skipper George Lee and loyal Bargoed servant Leigh Meads along with ex-Carmarthen Quins coach Louie Tonkin who is now seeking success with Bahrain.

The Principality Premiership kicks off this weekend with a new format. WRU TV's Graeme Gillespie discussed the season's prospects with defending champions Merthyr along with Cross Keys, RGC 1404 and Aberavon at the official launch held at Principality Stadium earlier this week.

The new Principality Premiership season kicks off this weekend with defending champions Merthyr beginning their defence of the title against Cross Keys in the East division. Coach Dale MacIntosh and Phillip Rees are expecting a tough season ahead.

Time is running out for young fans to enjoy rugby camps in North Wales and in the Dragons region. Boys and girls, aged 6-14, will have the chance to boost their skills, making friends and having fun in the process.

Lead Volunteer Gemma Sherlock sees the Rhondda Miners Cluster as a perfect pathway for young girls in the area to work towards Under 18 and senior rugby as the cluster continues to go from strength to strength.

Ysgol y Berwyn School club hub officer Euros Jones uses a unique Welsh-centric programme to encourage youngsters to the game with Sam Warburton, Leigh Halfpenny and George North just some of the heroes that the likes of eight-year-old Moli aspire to be.

As part of her role as a Lions Home Ambassador, WRU apprentice Kira Philpott, supported by her fellow apprentices, organised a Disability Rugby Lions Legacy festival at the WRU National Centre of Excellence.

Second row Sean Moore began the season playing for Division One club Mountain Ash and ended it playing for Wales in the World Rugby U20 Championship. He tells us about his whirlwind rise to international rugby which will give hope to all club players who have missed out on regional rugby.

Ever wondered what it takes to feed a World Cup squad away from home? Nutritionist Chris Edwards talks us through the Wales U20 utrition plan in Tbilisi, Georgia which has kept the lads going throughout the World Rugby U20 Championship campaign.

Joe Goodchild and Phil Jones were part of a Wales U20s group who visited Georgia's Paralympic centre. After playing various sports against Georgia's best paralympians, both admitted the visit has opened their eyes and put their defeat to Scotland in perspective.

There was a special reunion recently for Wales head coach Robin McBryde when he visited Parc Eirias to play Mark Jones' RGC side. He was re-united with Denley Isaac - the man who spotted him as a raw 19-year-old and put him on the path to international rugby.

There is still everything to play for in the Principality Premiership East Division with the top two locked on the same number of points going into the penultimate round of matches in the first phase this weekend.

WRU

1

Principality Premiership

Developing the game in Wales and creating a stable and progressive environment for players of the future

2

National Leagues

Taking the grass roots game out across the length and breadth of the nation, the National Leagues are the focus of the community rugby in Wales

3

National Cup

The National Cup, Plate and Bowl continue the legacy of the WRU Challenge Cup, culminating in a shot at glory at the Principality Stadium.

4

Women's Rugby

Women's Community Rugby embraces both the regional and community club game from Girls' Leagues through to the Women's Premier Division